Character-forming machine.



T. M. LILLEBBRG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR..2G,1912.

TBHEETS-SHEET l.

0 Q1 1 QF WITNESSES r wfzm W 1 mm 'sY srsaam.

ATTORNEY T. M. .LILLEBBRG. CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

1 APPLICATION FILED MAE.26,1912. I 1,124,150. i Y

'1 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

y lgl r numnnmF-uuuumm gm H M Tl DEMAN M ULLJEBERG.

BY I I 77 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

T. M. LILLEB ERG.

GHARAGTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION'PILED MAR.26,191L

- Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

INVENTOR 5? m ,:T\DEHAN M- LiLLEEEF-QET.

I In BY ATTORNEV T. M. LILLBBBRG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

'l SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES 3 Fla- 5 TIDEHAN ixt lf l iLEaERci- ATTORNEY T. M. LILLEBERG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIOIN FILED MAR.26,1912..

1,124,15Q PatentedJan.5,1915.

'! SHEETS-SHEET 6.

H lo

WITNESSES flflg 6 1 HDEMAN Pi T Z I LLEBERG BY v ATTORNEY .T. M.LILLEBERG.

GHARAGTER FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAB.26,1912.

1,1%, 1 5G, Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTOR T\DEHAN M- 1 \LL EBERE- M 1 lay/5% /6M77 ATTORN'EY T. M.LILLEBBRGi CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26,1912.

Patented Jan. 5; 1915.

7 SEEETB-QBEET 7.

INVENTOR "HEEMAN M. t' \L.\..EBERC WITNESSES ATTORNEY warns Paranaenrich.

TIDEMAN M. LILLEBERG, 0F WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

CHARACTER-FORMING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TIDEMAN M. LILLE- BERG,citizen of the United States, residing at Woodstock, in the county ofMcHenry ace in connection with typewriting machines, so called, thoughthe invention is not to be restricted to this adaptation thereof.

My invention has for one of its objects the provision of means whereby aplurality of characters may be formed before there is that readjustmentof the machine which is employed for shifting 'the element receiving,the characters in order that such element ,may be repositioned forreceiving further characters. This feature of my invention is ofparticular service in connection with typewriting machines as it enablesthe operator to cause the formation of a plurality of characters uponthe paper before the platen roller. of the machine is shiftedlongitudinally of itself. By my mechanism the speed of the operator maybe materially increased as compared with the speed of operation of themachine at present in existence whereby the operator is enabled to formbut. one character for each spacing movement of the platen roller.

My invention has for another of its objects the provision of meanswhereby the op- 7 erator is enabled to set the character producinelements preparatory to the1r operation fbr the purpose of forming thecharacters, and without herself causing the formatlon of such charactersas a consequence of further exertion, there being power. which areautomatically Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5, 1915.

Application filed March 26, 1912. Serial No. 686,459,

characteristics of the invention, as preferab lly embodied, will becarefully pointed out. he accompanying drawings show the preferredembodiment of the invention as employed in typewriting machines,in whichdrawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of a typewriting machine constructed inaccordance, with the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the machineshown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a detail illustrating a power device forshifting the carriage; Fig. 3' is an elevation, mainly in section, theview being taken generally on lme 3 3 of Fig. 5; Fig. 4 is a view of apart ofthe structure as seen on line 4.- 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is anirregular sectional plan view taken on line 5' 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a.sectional plan view taken generally on line 6 6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is asectional elevation of a part of the structure as viewed on line 7 7 ofFig.'6; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a part of the structureasgenerally viewed on line 8 80f Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a sectional elevationon line 9 9 of Fig. 6;,Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation generally takenon line 1 10 of Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation generally takenon line 11 11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation on line 12 12of Fig. 6 Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation on Fig. 5; and Fig. 16 is asectional elevation generally taken on line 16 16 of Fig. 6.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe different figures.

The drawings show enough of a typewriter structure readily to enablethose skilled in the art tounderstand my invention. I have notillustrated all of the details of a typewriter structure that are included in a complete machine, the details whose illustration is omittedbeing well known by those skilled in the art and forming no essentialpart of my invention. While the machine of my invention is shown asbeing embodied in a typewriter structure that is adapted to form inkedimpressions upon paper, I do not wish to be limited to such anembodiment of my invention as the invention is of service irrespectiveof the manner or means by which they are pre:

sented to view.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 623,517 filed April 26, 1911, Ihave shown a machine for producing characters which includes a pluralityof character forming Wires whose ends directly form the charaeters andmechanism for selecting different groups from among these wires and foroperating these groups to cause them to produce selected characters. InpraCtisingJmy present invention I desirably employa number of sets ofcharacter forming wires, each set containing a plurality of characterform-,

ing wireshaving ends which directly form the characters, mechanism beingprovided for selecting different groups from among the wires of eachset'and operating these groups to cause them to produce selectedcharacters, though it is to be strictly understood that Ijdo not wish tolimit myself, in all embodiments of my invention, to the employment ofthe character forming wires for the purposev mentioned, the mechanismillustrated beingset forth to show a specific way of practisingmy'zinvention. Each set of character forming wires which I employ ispreferably self-sufiicient for producing characters for the formation ofwhich it is employed, and there are preferably a number of sets (two ormore, preferably 3) which are capable of producing the same characters,as for example the small letters of, the alphabet, punctuation marks andthe digits. When the machine is to be adapted to produce the smallletters of the alphabet there is also added to the machine a set ofwires that is adapted to produce the capital letters and some of thepunctuation marks.

The sets of wires are located side by side and are separated by theusual spacing which obtains between the letters and other characters ofan ordinary typewriter.

Fig. 4 of the drawing shows a set 1 of character forming wires for theformation of capital letters and some punctuation marks, and sets 2, 3and 4 of character forming wires for the formatio of small'letters,punctuation marks, and di its; Otheg characters may be formed, ifdesired, according to the special design of the machine. These sets ofcharacter forming wires have their character forming endslocated withinconfining openings in a throat 5 which faces.

the platen roller 6, the set of wires 1 being at the left, when .onefaces the roller 6, while the other set of wires 2', 3 and 4 aresuccessively upon the right of the set 1.v

The paper upon which the typewriting is to appear is inserted betweenthe platen roller 6 and the paper guides 7. The platen con-- stitutesone form of support that operates j gitudinally of itself.

in conjunction with the character forming elements to enable theformation of characters upon material interposed between the support andthe character forming elements. A suitably operated endless ink ribbon 8is interposed between the character producing ends of the sets of wires1, 2, 3 and 4; and

nism which need not be described as such is well known by those familiarwith theart. Each set of wires 1, 2, 3 and l has its own set ofoperating keys as indicated in Fig. 1, the keys for the set 1 being uponthe left of the dotted line a a in Fig. 1, the keys for the set 2 beingbetween the dotted lines a a and b b, the keys for set number 3 beingbetween the dotted lines I) Z) and 0 0 and the keys for set number 4:being upon the right of the line 0 0. Thus the typewriter structure isequipped with as many banks of keys as there are sets of characterproducing wires. Mechanism is provided whereby the letter spacingmovement of the platen roller is prevented so long as any characterforming key in any bank is depressed so that it is possible for theoperator to form as many as four characters (which number may be variedaccording to the number of sets of wires employed) upon the paper beforethe platen roller is shifted. While the maximum number of characters isbeing produced, it is, as has in effect been stated, only necessary forthe operator to maintain one of the keys depressed. The. operator isthus able to manipulate the keys in the different banks in succession,striking one key before releasing the precedingly struck key, or is ableto strike all or any number of keys simultaneously whereby her speed ofoperation may be materially increased, as compared with the speed whichshe is now able to attain with present machines.

Mechanism is provided whereby the platen is moved, when the keys are released, a distance which Varies according to the bank of keys farthestto the right that includes-an operated key, and so far as the spacingmovement of the platen roller is concerned the key banks for the sets ofwires 1 and 2 are to be considered as one bank, so that if a key ineither of these two banks is operated and released (with no other key atthat time under depression) the platen roller will move longitudinallyof itself but one step. 'If any of the keys for operating the wires ofthe set 3 is ac tuated and thereafter released (there being then noother key under depression) then the platen roller will move two spaceslon- H gitudinally of itself. If any of the keysthen no other key under.depression) then the platen rollerwill move three spaces 1on- If it isdesired to haye the platen roller movedfour spaces longitudinally ofitself the spacer bar or,

elongated spacer key 9, which is coupled with suitable mechanism for thepurpose, may be operated and if it is desired to move the platen rollerfive spaces longitudinally of itself the spacer key 10, associated withsuitable mechanism for the purpose, may be operated. If it is desired tospace the platen roller one step the spacer key 11 (Fig. 1) which iscommon to all of the keys in the two banks to the left of the line b b,may be operated, whereby the platen roller may be shifted without theprevious formation of the character. If it is desired to move the platenroller longitudinally of itself two spaces without forming a character,the spacing-key 12 may be operated, and if it is desired'to move theplaten roller three spaces without forming a character the spacing key13 may be operated. I have thus generally stated that the platen rolleris held from longitudinal spacing movement when any of the keys isdepressed; how such platen roller is spaced when the keys are released,the spacing movement varying in extent according to the bank of keysfarthest to the right that includes a struck key; how the platen rollermay be given longitudinal spacing movement by striking the-spacing keys11, 12 and 13 in the different banks; and how additional spacingmovements ma be given to the platen roller by the additional spacingkeys 9 and 10.

As I have embodied my invention the three banks of keys to the right ofthe line a a in Fig. 1 are parts of structures which,

- generally speaking, are triplicated. Let it be assumed that a singlecharacter is to be produced by the operation of any of the keys in anyof the banks to the right of the line a a. A key in one of these banks,say the first bank to the right of the line a a, is depressed and is'released so'that the carriage is moved one step. The formed char acteris spaced from the neXt character to be formed by the depression of thespacing key 12 in the next bank. If a word of two small letters is to beformed the keys may be selected for operation from the first two banksto the right of the line a a, the space between this word and the nextcharacter.

to be formed being provided by the depression of the key 13 in the thirdbank to the right of the line a a. If a Word of three small letters isto be formed then a key in each of the three ban-ks to the right of the.line a a is'depressed whereafter thisword' is separated from the nextword or character that is to be formed by the depression of the spacing*key 9. If a single capital letter is to be formed the key is selectedfor operation from thebank of keys to the left of the line a a and thespace is provided between this single capital letter and the nextcharacter to be formed by pressing the key 12 in the second bank to theright of the line a a, the reason for this operation being apparent byreference to Fig. 4, when it.

is remembered that the manipulation of any of the keys in the compositegroup of keys in thebanks immediately to the right and left of the 'linea a results in the movement of the. platen roller but one step. If aword of two letters commencing with a capital letter is to be formed thekeys are selected for operation from the two banks immediately upon theright and left of the line a a (Fig. 1) and the space between this wordthe bank upon the left of the line a a and the first two banks upon theright of such line, whereafter a I separating space is formed by themanipulation of the spacing key 13. If a wordoffour letters commencingwith a capital is to be formed, a key is selected for operation fromeach of the four banks whereafter the desired spacing is effected by themanipulation of the spacing key 9.

When any character or word is to be followed by a capital letter or aWord .commencing with a capital letter, then the platen roller should beshifted two spaces.

-For example, if a character is formed as a consequence of thedepression of a key in the bank of keys first to the right of'the line aa, which character is to be followed by a capital letter, then thespacing key 12 is skipped and the spacing key 13 is operated. If thecharacter that is to be immediately followed by a capital letter isformed as a consequence of the depression ofa key in the second bank tothe right of the line i a a, then key 13 is skipped and the key 9 isdepressed. If "a character is formed as a I consequence of thedepression of a key in the bank of keys farthermost to the right of theline a a, which character is to be followed by a capital letter, thenthe spacing key 9 is skipped and the spacing key 10 is operated. t isthought that the general plan of operation of my machine will beunderstood from the explanation and examples which have been given andthat it will'be unnecessary to furnish any specific examples of word orsentence building to those skilled in the art. v a

The general. method of selecting. groups of wires from the differentsets 1, 2, 3 and 4t for the purpose. of producing characters bydifiering selected groups of wires of these sets will be readilyunderstood by an inspection of my aforesaid co-pen'ding application butin order that the specific embodiment of my present invention may bereadily understood, I will describe the mechanism whereby the keysassociated with the set of wires 4 may be employed for selecting groupsof wires from among this set,

it being understood that the mechanism emproduced as a result of themanipulation of the keys in the bank of keys to the left of the line a aand associated with the set of wires 1. i

Referring now more particularly to the bank of keys to the right of theline 0 c in Fig. 1, the mechanism which is operated thereby is shown(more or less completely),

in Fig. 3, Fig; 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, certain mechanism whichis common to all of the banks of keys being also operable by the keys inthe bank to the left of the line a 0, though mention of this lattermechanismfwill not be made at the present time inasmuch as it is notindividual to the bank of keys under discussion. The character producingwires, which are marked 14, ex-

7 cept where they appear in Fig. 4 where the groups, are desirablysquare in cross sec-'- reference characters are applied thereto astion,' at least atthe free ends of the wires. There-are desirably morecharacter forming wires than I have illustrated, the illustration ofadditional character forming wires having been omitted since theadditional character forming wires would render the illustration of theinvention too complicated. The hollow throat 5 is entirely dust proof,the whole length of the movement of the character forming elements, thisportion of the hollow throat thus constituting a closed continuous guidefrom the position of rest to the printing position of the characterforming elements. In practice I desirably employ one'hundred wiresarranged in ten rows, ten wires to a row'of each of the sets 2, 3, 4,the group 1 not requiring so many. The wires are attached at their frontends to the upper end of operating levers 15 intermediately pivoted at16, each lever being connected with but one wire. The levers 15 areadapted to have their lower ends engaged by operating bars 17 which arebrought into selective association therewith by means of the characterkeys 18. The bars 17 are provided with teeth projecting to ward thelevers 15 and normally out of alinement therewith, the bars 17, that areselected by the keys, being shifted so as to bring their teeth intoalinement with the levers 15 whereby movement of the bars toward thelowerends of the levers will cause the levers to swing about theirfulcra 16, only those levers 15 being operated that are 'dividualthereto.

engaged by the bar teeth whereby a group of wires corresponding to theactuated character key 18 is projected forwardly through the throat 5and is pressed upon the ribbon 8 thereby to cause a printed characterupon the paper interposed between said ribbon and the platen roller 6.Each .bar 17 includes two parallel branches, as shown clearly in Fig. 5,the number of teeth of the different bars and their distribution varyingaccording to the wire groupings to which they are individual. In thecase of periods, the number of Wires selected for operation may varyfrom one to four, or so, according to the size of the period that isdesired.

Each key 18 has one double branched bar 17 individual thereto and thebase uniting the branches of each pair has pin and slot connection 19with a lever 20 individual to I such base and the character key 18individual to the bar of which the base forms a part. The levers 20 aredivided into groups of two and carry trunnions 21 that are receivedwithin stationary sockets 22 formed in a fixed casing portion 23 of themachine, the wires 21 being held within their seats 22 by means of theplates 23 whereby the links 20 have fixed fulcra at 21. The front end ofeach lever 20 is connected with a link 24- individual thereto, eachcharacter forming key having but one link 24 in- Each character formingkey has but one cam 25 that takes part in the production of charactersand which cooperates with the links 24 individual to the key having thecharacter forming cam 25. When any character forming key is depressedthe cam 25 with which it is provided causes the engaged end of the link24 to be moved laterally whereby the lever 20 individual to thedepressed key is turned upon its fulcrum to cause the actuation of thebar 17 individual to the lever 20 through the intermediation of the pin.and slot connection 19 wherebyfthe tooth or teeth ofthe selected leveroperating bar 17 is placed in alinement with a lever or levers 15 thatit is to operate.

As I preferably embody my invention, the operator does not herself applythe force which is necessary to swing thelevers 15,

this power being preferably applied by en- A ergy. stored in a spring orfiotherwise mechanically furnished. I will not at this time describe themechanism by which the levers 15 are moved after aselected bar 17 hasbeen placed in cooperative relation therewith, it being preferable todefer description of this mechanism until after other mechanism has beendescribed. I do not wish to be limited,

' however, to a construction in which the operator does not directlycause the operation of the levers 15. I have filed another applicationwhich discloses apparatus for the production of characters havingfeatures in common with the features of my aforesaid oo-pendingapplication and features shown in the present application, this secondcopending application bearing Serial No.

(365,931 and the filing date of December 15,-

from among the set 3, though it should be said that the links 24 arehere omitted, the

levers 20 in this set being directly engaged by the cams 25 as appearsclearly in Fig.

11. The next group of'bars 17 upon the left and the mechanism connectedtherewith take part in the selection of groups of wires fromamong theset The bars 17 upon the extreme left in Fig. 5 and the mechanismconnected therewith take part "in the selection of groups of wires fromamong the set 1. The parts of the mechanism employed for selectinggroups of wires from the set 1 that have functions which are similar toparts of the mechanism for selecting groups of wires from each of thesets 2, 3 and 4 are given similar characters of reference.

The character keys 26 in the left hand bank (Fig. 1) include bell cranklevers 27 in their formation as illustrated clearly in Fig. 11, one endof each bell crank lever 27 projecting above the key board to constitutesuch lever a character key while the lower end of each bell crank leveris in sliding engagement with'a lever member 28, each bell crankleverhaving a lever member 28 individual thereto. The left hand end ofeach lever member 28 has pin and slot connection 29 with the frame 30 ofthe machine,- the pin and slot connections 29 being independent of eachother. Each element 28 has link connection at its right hand end with alever 31 provided with a fixed fulcrum 32 at its lower end. Eachcharacter key 26' thus has an individual bell crank lever 27 which isindividually cooperatively related with the elements 28 and 31. Eachlever 31 is flexibly connected at 32' witha linger 33 that-presses atits outer or free end upon a lever 20 individual thereto, each time anassociate character key 26 is manipulated, the levers 20 associated withthe character keys 26 having functions similar to the functions of thelevers 20 previously described, the levers 20 presently being discussedtaking part in the projection of characters corresponding to characterspresented to view by the character keys 26.

I will now describe mechanism in immediate association with the carriagethat carries the platen roller and will thereafter de-' scribe themanner in which this mechanism is made common to the banks of keys andthe mechanism actuated by the banks of keys.

rotatable step by step, by means of mechanism, which need not bedescribed, for the purpose of causing'the paper tomove step a by steplengthwise of the paper in front of the throat 5, all as will be wellunderstood. The carriage 34 is provided with wheels -or travelers35which roll upon tracks 36 that are parallel" withthe platen roller 6 andwhich guide the platen roller inits step .byv step movementlongitudinally of the platen roller. The carriage 34 is provided.

with a rack37 which is in mesh with a pinion 38. The pinion 38 isprovided with an elongated hub 39 '(a section being broken out ofthishub in Fig. 6 to reveal parts that would otherwise be hidden) the rearof the hub carrying a ratchet wheel 40 that is in engagement with theholding pawl or dog 41. The usual tension device'42 tends to pull thecarriage to the left, the ratchet wheel 40 and pawl 41 holding thecarriage against the force of thedevice 42 and only permitting thedevice 42- to pull the car riage toward the left when other mechanism isbrought'into play. The pawl41 is mounted upon 'a wheel 43 and isdisposed within a recess- 44 in said wheel. The ratchet wheel 40 isrotatable with respect to the wheel 43, it being possible to move thecarriage to the right against the force of the tension device 42, theteeth of the ratchet wheel 40 then riding under the pawl 41,

which pawl is spring pressed. Mechanism,

is provided, to be described, for turning the wheel 43 step by step in acounterclockwise direction whenever the platen roller 6 is to be movedlongitudinally of itself for I The platen roller 6 is'rotatably mountedupon a carriage 34, this platenroller being the purpose of afiordingdistinguishing spaces between adjacent characters upon the paperreceiving the printed characters. The wheel. 43 ismoved one stepwhenever any key, including the spacing key 11, in the composite bank ofkeys to the left of the line I) b (F ig.,1) is the only key operated.

'This wheel 43 moves two steps when any key in the bank between thelines b I) and 0 0, including the spacing key 12, is the furthermost keyto the right which is operated,

it being assumed that no other key is then under depression. The wheel43 is moved three steps when any key in the bank between the line 0 0and the key 9,- includingthe spacing key 13, is the furthermost key tothe right which is operated, it being assumed that no other key is thenunder depression. The wheel 43 is turned four steps when the key 9 isoperated, it being assumed that no other key is then under depression.The wheel 43 is moved five steps when the key 10 is operated, it beingassumed that no" other key is then under depression. The power whichcauses the wheel to turn each time it is permitted to turn resides inthe tension device 42 whose action is preferably supplemented by thespring 45 that exerts torque upon the wheel 43 in the same directionthat the tension device 42 exerts torque upon the wheel 43. The spring45 operates directly upon a reduced hub portion 46, while the tensiondevice 42 operates upon the wheel 43 through the intermediation of thepinion 38, the hub extension 39 of the pinion 38, the ratchet wheel 40and the pawl 41 which is mounted, as has been stated, upon the wheel 43.The wheel 43 is held from rotation by a lug 47 that engages one of thesliding detents 48 at a time, these sliding detents being receivedwithin slots out into the peripheral portion of the wheel 43 andextending parallel with the axis of such wheel. When any key to the leftof the line 6, including the spacing key 11, is operated, it beingassumed'that no other key is then depressed, the sliding detent 48 inengagement with the lug 47 is'moved forwardly toward the operator, bymechanism to be described, none of the other detents 48-being thenoperated. Movement of the wheel 43 by the elements 42 and 45 is thenpermitted, the lug 47 engaging the detent 48 immediately succeeding thewithdrawn detent 48. Thus the wheel 43 is permitted to rotate one step.Under the circumstances which have been set forth when the wheel 43is tobe rotated two steps, two of the detents 48 are withdrawn from the pathof the lug 47 so that the wheel 43 is permitted to turn until it engagesthe third and non-withdrawn detent. When the wheel 43 is to be turnedthree steps, three of the detents are withdrawn. When the wheel 43 is tobe turned foursteps, four of the detents 48 are withdrawn and when thewheel 43 is to be turned five steps, five of the detents are withdrawn.I have hitherto described the manner or'order in which the keys shown inFig. 1 are manipulated for the purpose of causing the spacing, eachmovement of the wheel 43 causin a spacing movement of the carriage 34 anthereby spacin movement of the platen roller carried by .t 1e carriage.It will be unnecessaryto repeat a description of the, operation of thekeys for the purpose of causing the spacing movement of the platenroller and the carriage that supports it.

The sliding detents. 48 are frictionally held in vpositions'by means ofsprings 49 ,(Figs. 5 and .12), the stationary cam 50 (Fig. 6) engagingthe forward ends of the sliding detents 48 to restore their rear endsinto the plane of the lug 47 so that as these roller to plungers wardlywhen fouridetents 48-are to be with detents again approach the lug 47they will be in a position to engage said lug in a manner which hasgenerally been described.

I The detents 48 are withdrawn from the path of the lug 47 upon thedepression of keys.

Just as soon as the detent in engagement one or more steps according tothe key fur- I thermost toward the right in Fig. 1 that has beenoperated. Plungers 52, 5 3, 54, 55 and 56 are mounted to reciprocatebackwardly and forwardly in fixed horizontal lines of travel, theseplungers not rotating bodily with the wheels 43. These plungers areprovided with heads 57 that engage the rear edges of the inturned frontends of the sliding detents 48. The plunger 52 is drawn forwardly whenbut one detent 48 is to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47, topermit the' wheel 43 to be turned one step to permit the carriage and'platen roller to be moved one step by the carriage tension device 42 andthe spring 45'. The plungers 52 and 53 are drawn forwardly when twodetents 48 are to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47 to permitthe wheel 43 to be turned two steps to permit the carriage' and platenroller to be moved two spaces. The Y drawn forwar ly when three detents48 are to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47,to permit thewheel 43 to be turned three spaces to ermit' the carriage and platen liemoved three spaces. The 52, 53, 54 and 55 are drawn fordrawn out of theplane of the lug 47 to permit' the wheel 43 to be turned four spaces topermit the carriage and platen roller to be moved four. spaces. Theplungers 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are drawn forwardly when five detents 48are to be withdrawn out of lungers 52, 53 and 54 are the plane of thelug47, to permit the wheel 1 43 to be turned five spaces to permit thecarriage and platen roller to be moved five spaces. By mechanismto bedescribed the plunger 52 is operable by any key located to the left ofthe line.b. including the spacing key there provided, Fig. 1. T eplunger 53 is operable by any key in the: bank located between the linesI) b and 0 0, including the spacing. key there provided; The plunger 54is operable by any key in the bank at the extreme right hand, includingthe spacing key there provided, Fig. 1. The plunger 55 the otherplungers.

is operable by the spacing key 9 and the plunger 56 is operable by thespacing key 10. Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the plungers areprovided with peripheral shoulders 58 that are fixed with respectthereto and which are in such engagement that the forward movement ofthe plunger ing the forward movement of the plunger 52; and the plunger52,-when it is alone moved, not forcing the movement of any of Thus whenkey 10 is the only key depressed and released the wheel 43 is forced tomove fi esteps. If the key 9 is the only key depressed and released thewheel is forcedto move four steps. If a key in the right hand bank tothe right of the liner 0 is the only key depressed and released thewheel 43 is forced to move three steps. If a key in the bank between thelines I) Z) and 0 c is the only key depressed and released the wheel 43is forced to move two steps. If any key to the left of the line b b isthe only key depressed then the wheel 43 is forced to move one step.

That is, the wheel 43 is'forced to move thenumber of steps correspondingto the righthandmost .key depressed and released whether other 'keys inthe banks to the left of such depressed and released key are operated ornot.

Having described the nature of the mech anism by which the longitudinalmovement of the carriage and the platen roller carried thereby isdirectly. effected, I will now describe the mechanism that intervenesbetween the aforesaid mechanism and the keys upon the keyboard. 7

The spacing keys 9 and 19 are generally similar in construction, these;keys having a common fixed fulcrum axis at 59. The key 9 has twolaterally extending branches (Fig. 6) the rear branch carryingadownwardly extending stem 60 (Fig. 11). The key 10 is disposed betweenthe laterally extending branches of the key 9 and carries a downwardlyextending stem 61. The stems 60 and 61 are provided with links 62 thatare individual thereto, these links 62 being connected with the crankarms63 that are indi- -vidual thereto, the cranks 63 that are individualto the keys 9 and 10 being independently operable though they areadapted 'to turn about acommon axis, the crank 63 belonging to the key10 being carried by a rod 64 and the remaining crank 63 being carried bythe sleeve 65 that surrounds the rod 64 and which may turn with respectthereto. The solid and hollow rods 64 and 65 are proment at their outerends, respectively, with sliding bars 68 and 69. By this mechanism thekey 10 is mechanically connected with the sliding bar 68 and the key 9is mechanically connected with the sliding bar 69 (see Figs. 8 and .11).

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, the bars 68 and 69 are providedeach with a .cam'70, the depression of the key 9 orthe key l0 causingits associate cam 70 to be moved toward the left upon the consequentmovement in a similar direction of the sliding bar carrying the same.The plungers 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 have flexible connec tion with theupper ends of thele 'ers 71 that are pivoted between their ends, the tworight hand levers 71 being adapted to be engaged by the cams 7 0 whenthese cams are moved to the left whereby the levers are rockedtowithdrawthe plungers connected therewith forwardly to remove the slidingdetents 48 that happen to be in cotiperative' relation therewith fromthe plane of the lugfl7.

Each off'the keys, including the spacing key, in the right hand bank ofkeys is provided with'a cam 72 that is in engagement with'a bar 73common to the cams 72, this bar having angular branches that are fixed'with respect to a journaled rod 7 4. The rod 7-l is journaled at itsforward end in the frame of the machine and at its rear in a sleeve '75(Fig. 6), the sleeve and rod thus being rotatable with respect to eachother. The rod 74 is connected with a slide bar 76 which is providedwith a cam 70 adapted for engagement with the lever 71 that is connectedwith the plunger 54, the connection of the slide bar and rod 74 being byway of a crankarm 77 *fixeduponthe rod-7lland in pin and slot connectionwith the slide bar The hollow "rod or sleeve is connected with a slidebar 78-that has cam 70 in engagement with the lever 71 articulated withthe plunger 53, the connection of the sleeve-75 with the slide bar 78being efi'ected by means ofthe crank arm 79 in connection with thesleeve 75 and in pin and slotconnectionwith the slide bar 78. The sleeve75 is connected by means of a link 80 and cranks 80 with a rod 7%individual to the bank of keys next to'therigh't hand bank of keys, abar 73 individual to this, secvond mentioned bank of keys being in fixedconnection with the rod 74 that is journaled in the frame of the machineand a bracket 81' carried by the frame of the machine. \Vhen any key inthe bank next to the right hand bank of keys is depressed the associatebar 73 is turned to cause the sleeve 75 to be turned through theintermediation of the link 80 whereby the associate slide bar 78 isactuated. The lever 71 articulated with the '70 carried by a slide bar82.

plunger 52 is adapted to be swung by a cam The slide bar 82 is in pinand slot connection 83 with a swinging bar 81. The swinging bar 84: isloosely journaled upon a rod 85. A crank 86 is fixed upon the rod 85 anda crank 87 is fixed upon a sleeve 88 surrounding the rod 85 and movablewith respect thereto. The cranks 86 and 87 are in loose motionconnection with the levers 81 and 89.. The sleeve 88 is in rigidconnection with a crank 90 whose lower end is connected by a link 91with the lower end of a crank 80 in fixed connection with a rod 74 ofthe bank just to the right of the line a a, Fig. 1. The rod 85 is infixed connection with a crank 92 whose upper end is provided with a bar93- common to the keys 20. When any of the keys of the bank to the leftof the line a a is depressed, the rod 85 is turned again to cause theslide bar 82 to move. Thus the first two banks of keys, the one upon theleft and the other immediately upon the right of the line a a,- arecommon to the plunger 52.

When any plunger 52, 53, 5 1, and 56 is moved forwardly, the movablestop 51 is moved rearwardly to engage the sliding detent 48 that hasbeen moved out of engagement with the lug 17. For this purpose each ofthe plungers is provided with an arm 91 rigid with respect thereto, thefree ends of the arms 91 engaging a stirrup 95 pivoted at 96, thisstirrup having a continuation 97 that is articulated with the plungerstop 51, see Fig. 7. Whenany plunger is operated the stop 51 is pushedto the rear in position to engage the slide #18 that is being releasedfrom engagement with the stop 47. When no-key is depressed, no arm 9-1is in operating engagement with the stirrup 95 so that the spring 98(Figs. 6 and 3) is at liberty to withdraw the plunger stop 51 to permitthe wheel 13 to turn when it is timely. I

Under the assumption that the operator is not directly to supply thepower needed to turn the levers 15 I prefer to employ the mechanism foraccomplishing this result vwhich I will now describe.

- All of the bars 17 belonging to each bank 7 of keys are desirablymoved each time the printing is to be eii'ected, these bars which havetheir teeth brought into alinement with certain of the levers 15 beingeffective to operate such levers while the tbeth of the remaining bars17 enter spaces between the levers 15. Pins 99 are provided upon a reciprocating carriage 100 and serve, when the carriage 100 isreciprocated, to move the bars 17 positively toward the front of themachine and positively toward the rear of the machine. the bars 17 to'bemoved positi'vely toward the front of the machine when printing is tooccur and being retracted when the printing operation has been completed. Each carriage 100 is moved forwardly by means of a suitablydriven power shaft 101 stationarily journaled in brackets 102 andcarrying an eccentric that rotates within an arm 103 flexibly carried bythe carriage 100. The shaft 101'is preferably adapted to be turned by acoiled spring 101, one end of which is attached to the shaft 101 and theother end of which is attached to a ratchet wheel 105. The ratchet wheel105 is engaged by a pawl 106 that is pivotally mounted upon the upperend of a plunger 107 that is pressed upwardly by a spring 108. A shaft109 carrying cranks 110 is driven by any suitable power device as anelectric motor. The rotating crank 110 presses upwardly upon the spring108 and through this spring exerts the power that enables the pawl 106to turn the wheel 105 to wind the spring 101 to replace any spent power.If the spring 104 has been wound sufficiently tight, the spring 108 willyield so as to prevent breakage of parts. Power is also transferred fromthe crank shaft 109 through the lever. 111 for the purpose of similarlyreplenishing power in the spring 15. There are four crank connections110, one for each of the four banks of character keys and there are fourshafts 101, one corresponding to such banks of keys. Each shaft 101carries a finger 112 rigid withrespect thereto and normally held fromrotation by a leaf spring 113. When a printing operation is to beeffected the spring 113 (if a character corresponding to one bank ofkeys is alone to be printed) is released or the springs 113corresponding to the different banks of keys when characters are to beproduced by the operation of keys in such different banks. are releasedso that the finger or fingers 112 arrested by such spring or springs 113will be free to turn one revolution, said springs 113, beingrepositioned before the fingers 112 complete their revolutions so as tolimit the shafts 101 each to one revolution each time the printingoperation is to be efiected. The forward ends of the springs 113 areanchored upon the carriage 100, each spring having its aneh0rage fixedwith respect to each carriage. The free end of each spring is normallyheld underneath the top bar 11 1. of'the T-member 115. This T-membe'r115is pressed upon in a forward direction by a leaf spring 116 so that ittends, at its free end, to descend from the T-member 115, thespringtension being ins'ufiicient to prevent the. finger 112 fromflexing the spring upwardly when the free or unanchored end of thespring is disengaged. After-the dog 117 has been moved toward the leftto disengage theunanchored end of the spring 113, the spring 119 servesto restore the dog 117 to its initial position, thedog 118 tripping onthe return movement of the dog 117 toward the left.

It remains now to describe the manner in which the dog 117 is moved tothe right in opposition to the spring 119, the remaining functionshaving been described. In this connection reference may be had mainly toFigs. 6, 10 and 16. Each dog 117, there being one for each bank of keys,four in all, is in connection with the outer end of a crank. Crank 120is carried by the right hand rod 74 shown in Fig, 6 and has its outerend. connected with one dog 117; the crank 121 is connected with theright hand sleeve 75 shown in Fig. 6 and is connected with another dog117; the crank 122 is connected with the shaft 85 and has its outer endconnected with another dog 117; while the remaining crank 123 isconnected with the sleeve 88 and has its outer end connected with theremaining dog 117. It has been described how these elements 74, 75, 85and 88 are turned when keys are depressed and if the keys depressed arenot spacing keys then a printing operation will result as a consequenceof the actuation of the dogs 117. If spacing keys have alone beendepressed no. printing will resultas a consequence of their operationsince they have adjusted none of the bars for selecting the characterproducin wires.

The rod 124 is housed in the pinion sleeve 39 (Figs. 2, 6 and 9). Therear end of the rod 124 is pressed forward by a spring 125.

- The rod 124 rotates with the wheel 43 through the agency of a crank126 fastened upon the rod, rotation with the wheel 43 being caused by apin. 127 fastened in the wheel. The crank 126 can slide backward andforward upon the pin 127, when the swinging bar 128 (carried by thecarriage and which extends the length of the carriage) is caused torotate rearwardly by means of handles 129 (Fig. 1) at either end of thecarria e. The rod 124 is pushed backward against the spring 125 carryingwith it crank 126 whose outer. end engages with pawl 41 and releasessaid pawl from the ratchet wheel 40 by means of a small cam portion onpawl 41 (Fig. 6). Since pawl 41 and pin 127 are mounted on wheel 43 itwill be readily understood that crank 126 is in fixed relation with pawl41. By rotating either handle 129 upwardly ratchet wheel 40 will bereleased and the carriage can be moved by the operator in eitherdirection -not wish to be limited to the precise details of constructionshown nor to the embodiment of all features of my invention in the sameorganization as changes may readily be made without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent the following w 1. A character producing machineincluding elements for producing a plurality of characters; a supportoperating in conjunction with said elements for the formation ofcharacters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support;and a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement .of saidsupport, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apartrotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to preventmovement of the spacing device, and detent withdrawing devicesindividual to the detents and for removing the same from cooperativerelation with'said stop, the withdrawing device vice, while the secondwithdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby both detentsare withdrawn when the second Withdrawing device'is operated.

2. A character producing machine includingelements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes arotated adjustable detent, a stop for engaging said detent to preventmovement of the'spacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent topermit said spacing device to operate; a second stop for limiting thebodily movement of the detent; and means for placing the second stop inand out of the detent path.

3. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and meansfor withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engagingdetent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment ofthe support may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodilymovement of the detents; and means for placing the second stop in of thepath of the detents.

4. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes apluralityof spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaginga detent to prevent movement ofthe spacing device, and for removing thesame from cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing devicethat is individual to the detent which is in engagement with the stopbeing operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while thesecond withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby bothdetents are withdrawn when the second withdrawing device is operated; asecond stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; and meansfor placing the second stop in and out of the path of the I detents.

5. A character producing machine ir cluding elements for producingaplurality of characters; a support operating in con unction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means. for efiectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for'permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includesaplurality of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and detentwithdrawing devices individual to the detents and for removing the samefrom cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that isindividual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop beingoperable independently of the second withdrawing device, while thesecond withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby bothdetents are withdrawn when the second withdrawing device is operated;and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same inposition for engagement with the stop.

6. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes arotated adjustable detent, a stop and out,

for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, andmeans for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacing device tooperate; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detent;means for placing the second stop in and out of the detent path; and acam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position forengagement with the first stop.

7. A character producing machine includingelements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart rotated adj ustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the; spacing device, and meansfor withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engagingdetent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment ofthe support may bevaried: a second stop for limiting the bodily movementof the detents; means for placing the second step in and out of thepathof the detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restorethe same in position for engagement witlrthe first stop.

8. Acharacter producing machine includ ing elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality, of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and forremoving the same from cooperative relation with said stop, thewithdrawing device that is individual to the detent which is inengagement with the stop being operable independently of the secondwithdrawing device, while the second withdrawing device is in engagementwith the first whereby both detents are withdrawn when the secondwithdrawing device .is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodilymovement of the detents; means for placing the second step in and out ofthe characters; a support operating in conjunc- 'path of the detents;and-a cam structuretion with said elements for the formation ofcharacters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support;and a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of saidsupport, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apartbodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for 'engag-- ing a detent toprevent movement of the' ing elements for producing a plurality ofcharacters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements forthe formation of" characters; means for effecting longitudinal movementof said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movementof said support, which spacing device includes abodily moved adjustabledetent, a stop for engaging said detent to prevent movement of thespacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit saidspacing device to operate; a second stop for limiting the bed ilymovement of the detent and means for placing the second stop in and outof the de+ tent path.

11. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelementsior the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and meansfor withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engagingdetent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment ofthe support may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodilymovement of the detents; and means :for placing the second stop in andout of the path of the detents.

12. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters;a support operating in conjunction with, saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart bodilv moved adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and forremoving the same from cooperative relation with said stop,

the withdrawing device that is individual to 1 the detent which is inengagement with the stop being operable independently of the secondwithdrawingidevice, while the second withdrawin device is in engagementwith the n'rst w ereby both detents are withdrawn when the secondWithdrawing device is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodilymovement of the detents; and means i for placing the second stop in andout of the path of the detents.

'13. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements'for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and detentwithdrawing devices individual to the detents and for removing the samefrom cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that isindividual to the detent wh1ch is in engagement with the stop beingoperable independently of the second withdrawing device, while thesecond withdrawing device is in engagement with the firstiwherehy bothdetents are withdrawn when-the second Withdrawing device is operated;and a camstructure engaged by the detents to restore the same inposition for engagement With the stop. 7

ll. A character-producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation; of characters; means 'for efiectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes abodily moved adjustable detent,

a stop for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the spacingdevice, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacingdevice to operate; a; second stop for limiting the bodily movement ofthe detent; means for placing the second stop in and out of the detentpath; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same inposition for engagement with the first stop.

15. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglongitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and meansfor withdrawin the stop engaging detent or both the stop engaging detentand the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment of thesupport may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement ofthe detents; means forplacing the second stop inand out of the path ofthe detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore thesame in position for engagement with the first stop.

16. A character producing machine including elements for producing aplurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with saidelements for the formation of characters; means for effectinglongitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permittinglon itudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes aplurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop forengaging a detent the spacing device, and for removing the same fromcooperative relatiton with said stop, the withdrawing device that isindividual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop beingoperable independently of the second withdrawing device, while thesecond Withdrawing device is in-engagement with the first whereby bothdetents are withto prevent movement of drawn when the second withdrawingdevice is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement ofthe detents; means for placing the second stop in and out of the path ofthe detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore thesame in.

riage; a cam cooperative with said teeth during the return movements ofsaid carriage to enable them to clear said arresting means;

and means for controlling said teeth to permit step-by-step movement orseveral steps at a time movement of carriage.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day ofMarch A. 1);, 1912.

TIDEMAN LILLEBERG.

Witnesses:

IneRALn OLSEN, JOHN A. FREDRICKSON.

